Memphis

Murphy fucking drives me insane. Such a good crosser and can hit the shit out of the ball but is so fucking shocking at almost everything else.

I don’t normally get into the self-flagellation we tend to do when we’re playing like shit, but holy fuck this is a pitiful effort. Top to bottom. No one looks like they have a clue.

First half really poor. Second half was better. I thought we were better in the second half than most of the posters in here seem to. We created a number of excellent opportunities. Could have easily been 2 or 3 for us. They scored on a fortunate break. Plenty of concerns but for me the biggest one is that Murphy seems to have to play for us to generate the crosses we need. Elanga just doesn’t seem to understand how we want to play. And Murphy isn’t good enough in general play to get us where we need to be. Time to put Joe on the bench for a bit, I think. Ramsey or Miley to start next time. Fucking hate the AMEX.

Surely they could have found a better picture of him for the announcement.

I think people seem to be operating on the extremes of the discussion with these types of appointments. To many of them a manager cannot have any involvement with these matters or else the process is tainted. But that's silly. Of course you want your manager - who has been incredible for the club - to be in accord with whoever you select for Sporting Director. Crucially, that does not mean the manager demanded a certain person or asked for certain things, it just means they will be working closely and need to be in agreement on how to go about doing the job. We have seen very clearly what happens when we don't have cohesion behind the scenes. I have no idea if this is a good appointment or not. Time will tell, as ever. But the process makes sense and I'm glad someone competent will be in place soon.

I think it’s very possible to appreciate all that Eddie has done and know that he’s an outstanding coach and person while also noting that he is struggling this season. Responding to fair criticism is how people improve. Eddie himself believes in that and uses it with his players. So he will also be aware that he has not been good enough. We don’t seem to have a consistent way of playing going forward, we are not linking well between the lines, he’s not gotten the rotation right either. There are reasons for all of that, of course, and anyone calling for him to be sacked is stupid. However, he needs to do a better job, as do several of his players. It’s not unfair to point that out.

I mean, on the balance of play, we deserved to lose against Arsenal and Barcelona. We probably deserved a draw against Liverpool. Our performances have gotten worse over the course of the season and our style of play is more ragged. I don’t understand what we’re trying to do.

I certainly back Eddie to figure it all out but we were poor. We are really lacking fluidity between the lines. Maybe Jacob Ramsey would have helped with that. We just play too rigidly and too conservatively. Disappointed with Bruno, I think he is standing out as not contributing enough going forward if this is the system we are using. It has been a very difficult stretch of games, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona at home, but we have gotten what we have deserved, which is nothing.

As you are seeing with Ruben Amorim, you don't force players into systems, you mold systems around players. Ideally, that's what happens with Woltemade, he's uniquely suited to play in a holding/distributing role that can release other players, while at the same time being able to deliver passes and make touches that open up space. He's not a target man as such, and he's not a 10 as such, he's a 9 but a unique one and I would expect that Eddie will be making the adjustments in our buildup play to take full advantage of his strengths. His teammates will also need a consistent run of games with him because he can make passes and create opportunities they won't have expected right away. It's unfortunate we don't have more of a bedding-in period but with Woltemade's attitude and work ethic, and the generally excellent squad/coaching around him, it's not going to be too long before he really starts to emerge as the huge talent he is.

Not accustomed to us being able to rotate that many players and still have a relatively decent performance. Thought Burn was excellent as was Botman. Thiaw was OK but definitely rode his luck. Tonali was everywhere again. Such a calming presence for a guy like Miley. Woltemade had some neat touches and good hold-up play, not much else for him to have done. Foundations are very solid. The attacking will come.

Obviously Barca are a level ahead but I think we were undone by our injuries and lack pf full fitness. Howe managed with an eye on the weekend - and knowing that Woltemade is still a long way from being fit enough to play in our system. Woltemade couldn't play more than 30 minutes after last week and still be able to start the weekend. If we had Wissa, it would have made an enormous difference. Same with Ramsey and Hall. Both of them would have started and improved our team imo. So I think Howe was managing with one hand tied behind his back.

What a move that was for the goal. Out of absolutely nowhere!!!

We have just run out of gas against an elite team. Have to have everyone on top form to win a game like this and we've had too many who were not quite good enough. No shame in it. Just the way it is. Don't really have too many bad things to say about the overall performance, but we are clearly a step behind the best.

We need more players with a bit of composure. We have some talented lads who struggle when the pressure hits.

Fuck me that was an incredible finish. Burn not covering himself in glory but wow.

Have to think Schar was still affected by the head injury. Bizarre decision to drop off Rashford for the goal.

Have no doubt Woltemade will be on at the 60 minute mark or thereabouts. Our style of play will be perfect for him against this high line. He's going to hold it up, release Elanga, make the run and finish at the back stick, I'm calling it.

Tonali...what a genius

From this Athletic piece on Eddie Howe's rugby-style kickoffs into touch... The players didn't want to kick the ball into touch to start the second half against Liverpool, even though that was the agreed-upon plan. They backed themselves to be able to keep the ball. So Eddie Howe gave them a chance. That last paragraph is to me what makes Howe so special as a coach. He allowed his players to make what he suspected was a mistake in order to show them a larger point about making proper decisions under pressure. That method of teaching is so much more effective than screaming or yelling or stamping your feet and demanding that players do it your way or else. The players had their chance to make a decision, it was a poor one and it cost the team, and now they can see it very clearly.

Absolutamente espectacular

Me too, it’s incredible

It's amazing how we can unearth these unknown talents like, uh, the guy who was chased by Bayern Munich for months and is the current striker for the German national team.

What a joy it is to watch this guy dominate the pitch. He’s in control at all times. Cool as fuck as well.

Job done. Ugly but effective.